The College of Saint Scholastica Top Questions

I would tell myself to calm down and focus. Everybody pressures you to make the right decision right off the bat, and it's impossible to know for sure if the decision is the correct one. I am currently working on transferring colleges, because I made the wrong decision, and it’s okay! I would say that life throws many choices and opportunities at your face, sometimes you catch the wrong ones, and let the right ones hit you. But, the right ones will just bounce off and you can always go back and pick them up later.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the advice of trying to become financially prepared to go to college. I would tell myself that I need to apply for as many scholarships that I qualify for. When I got the first bill that I had to pay for going to this school, it was a huge surprise. I knew what the tuition was supposed to be and I recieved a scholarship from the school that I am attending. For some reason, I thought that the scholarship was going to cover a much larger percentage of the tuition than it actually did. I was surprised about the amount that I still had to pay to the school with a loan. I would give myself the advice of trying to find other ways to pay for schooling, such as scholarships or grants, to help keep the amount as low as possible that I would need to recieve in a loan.

Some words of advice I'd give myself as a high school seniour: Keep things simple, but work hard - I believe that we live in a generation where we like to contemplate things too much instead of acting upon them, and if we do, our actions aren't as decisive as we intended. Sometimes all we need to do is give our best, and hope for the best. Appreciate the right people in your life - It's easy to take so many things for granted in high school, especially our relationships with other people. The time after high school is critical because you are maturing and seeking to properly develop yourself as a person. Doing this is impossible without the influence and support of other people in your life. Learn from your mistakes - Do not dwell or ignore your shortcomings, but rather humbly accept them and prove to *yourself* above everyone else that you're capable of learning from your own wrongdoings. Be yourself but always look to improve yourself - You are unique, special like no other. Do not deviate from who you are, but rather make yourself a better person for the things and the ones you love.

I would tell my eighteen year old self that pride isn't a virtue and you should ask for help or to go and talk to teachers when you're lost. I'd also tell myself to form study groups for examens so that you wouldn't slack on studying for tests. It is really important to start volunteering and/or being involved in extra curricular activities such as clubs from the start, otherwise your college carreer will fly by and during your senior year you'll be thinking "Crap! I have so much to accomplish in this year!". Schedule out your days to make it easier to have a social life and still succeed at school and most important of all, believe in yourself and don't let boys or life drama be a distraction, it only causes trouble and bad grades.

I would tell myself not to wait a year before going to college and get a job. I would also tell myself to focus on my music and art career instead of guys. It is a whole lot better than what I am dealing with now.

Invest not only in your classes and homework, but also in the professors. Let them help you and give you guidance. Put the effort in and try to learn everything you can. You're not going to love every one of your teachers, but when you find one you really admire, that's a treasure. Invest in friends and invest in personal time. Make sure you're separating yourself from everything and everyone and taking long walks. You need to be able to think about your life without the input and pressure of the people around you. Then, when you figure out what you want to do, do it. Don't wait. There is no time like the present and the people who achieve their dreams are the people that live them everyday.

i would tell myself the path down the road is good dont mess it up

I would go back in time and begin with a little more research into college life after high school. Picking an academic college was important to me. But I didnt believe I needed a lot of time to visit and compare my institutional opportunities. Playing sports contributed to my decision also, but I didnt pick my university based on that perspective. Knowing what I gathered throughout my time during and after college, I should have investigated more financial numbers on what I will end up dealing with when paying for school and the loans afterwards. Private versus public places of higher learning did not give me much of an advantage in my graduating area of expertise. I could have save a lot of money. Also, I should have researched more on the potential job outlook and possibilities of gaining one immediately after graduation. I should have done more comparisons and asked more questions to people already working in my profession as to recommendations for colleges in my area of study that will help me financially along with the best career placement support.

The best possible advice I could give myself would be to take education more seriously. Taking the time as a senior in high school to complete the available AP classes and to learn how to properly study for a class would help in transitioning from a high school senior to a college freshman. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to be more involved from the beginning of my college life with activities on campus. Whether it be clubs, organizations, or sports, being and staying involved in college activities helps to cement the fact that this is a new phase in life where great things can happen if the opportunity is taken advantage of.

Do not procrastinate and get things done. If you have any problems with anything, talk to someone. Get all financial things sorted as soon as possible. Sign up for classes right away, do not wait until the next semester starts.

Look for a job early. Apply for everything available. Look for more than one. Apply for lots of scholarships. Stop procrastinating and just do it.

I would tell myself to learn how to study, learn how to manage my time, and to let go of my past. I had an extremely easy time throughout high school, and therefore never learned efficient ways to study for tests or how to spend my time wisely so that everything could be completed on time with less stress. Had I focused on these skills in high school, transitioning from a high school workload to a college workload would have been much easier. Finally, my past caused me to be very guarded and untrusting of people I did not know. Because of this, I struggled to make friends while at college. I have now learned that people are much different at college and do not judge you based on the fact that they only know the past that you tell them. I wish I had known that so that I could have made more friends when beginning my college experience.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to apply to a four-year college and work with a financial advisor to determine how I could afford to go to school. I would tell myself to push yourself and take more advanced classes during my senior year to better prepare for what college brings. I would also tell myself to make time to volunteer in the community as that experience helps one grow and can also lead to future scholarship opportunities.

Stay focused and do not let yourself become unmotivated! Laziness is your enemy and skipping classes affects your grades immensely.

I would explain the overwhelming possibilities, and that they are exactly that, endless possibilties. Having the freedom to choose what you want to do is a beauiful thing, along with the satisfaction you can feel with youself while making yourself a beter person is priceless. The freedoms of adulthood can bring many unexpected life turning events, and as a high school senior right now, now is the time to get school out of the way. This way financial security is first and foremost in creating a secure future for yourself, your dreams, and possible family. As a young person, you have the resiliency to maintain an academic lifestyle plus a possible social life. The older you get and the longer its been since you've taken classes, the harder it gets to juggle family, finances, and all of your assignments. College life is great, like I said, the possibilites are endless. So getting an education as soon as you can is great, because you will always have the freedom to go back to school if you have other interests in other careers, but at least if you do, it will be by choice and not because you have to.

GPA really isn't that big of a deal, however, get good study habits in order. It is really hard the first semester when you don't have good study habits, you can get behind and evertything starts to snowball.

I would tell myself to be more dilligent about scholarship applications. I would also tell myself to contact the admissions officers at the school I intend to transfer to for fall 2012. I would advise myself to write short essays / paragraphs about my educational and career goals, and community service, to make applying for scholarships easier and more efficient. I would also tell myself ot make lists of scholarships and deadlines so that I can apply to everything I am elligible for and hopefully end up with no student loans.

I would remind myself to enjoy each day and to look for the opportunity each situation provides. I would remind myself to not back away from chances to expand my horizons, even if and especially if they are outside of my comfort zones. I would advise that the friendships formed during this time can be lifelong friendships- explore those opportunities! I would encourage pride in all work that is done, not dreading the assignment, but looking for the benefit of knowledge gained. Most importantly, I would strongly encourage not procrastinating! Plan ahead while still allowing for spontaneity.

Younger Me (YM): Future Me? Present Me (PM): Yes. Time is limited. Ask wisely… YM: What should I know about college?PM: You’re headed into a community college; people are much older than you. Get serious to earn respect. As a diverse college, you should listen to people with an open mind to understand their point of view; never judge. Lastly, read 15-20 books this summer. YM: What should I do once I’m there? PM: Start thinking about transfer. Besides managing time and academics, attend a broad range of club meetings. You’ll find passionate individuals who will inspire you. YM: And support? PM: Utilize professors’ office hours. Locate the transfer office and introduce yourself to program director. Seek out the Honors Program director Dr. Koh and PTK Honor Society adviser Dr. Vasileiou. Illustrate your passion for education and transfer; they’ll do the rest. YM: How about courses? PM: A competent transfer candidate should undertake 7 Honors courses minimum. A rigorous education is a good education. YM: Your best advice? PM: Seek out and listen to advice from those who’ve graduated already, ask them what they would do differently, and ACT on what you learn.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about what I know now about college life and making the transition. I would truly not give myself any advice. I wouldn't give myself any advice because the mistakes that I have made over the past few in college have helped me grow into a stronger person and student. If i would have never made the mistakes I did in the past few years in college, I don't think I would be as prepared for the professional world. I feel that I have grown and learned enough through my mistakes that it will help me be the best teacher possible. In which my future students deserve 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}!